North Dakota Seeks to Revive Adult-Use Cannabis Initiative for November Ballot

LOS ANGELES- In North Dakota, cannabis advocates are rallying to place an adult-use cannabis question on the ballot for the upcoming November general election. The initiative, led by former Bismarck mayor and current Burleigh County Commissioner Steve Bakken, requires the collection of 16,000 valid signatures by July 8 to qualify for inclusion.

Bakken emphasized the local roots and careful planning of the proposal, stating that it is designed to reflect the unique needs and values of North Dakota residents, rather than being influenced by external interests. The proposed measure includes provisions for adults aged 21 and over to cultivate up to three cannabis plants each, with a maximum of six plants per household, setting possession limits lower than those in neighboring states like Minnesota and Montana.

Mark Friese, a member of the initiative’s sponsoring committee and former police officer, highlighted the excessive resources currently expended on cannabis-related offenses. He advocates for reallocating these resources to combat more critical drug issues, such as the spread of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The push for this ballot initiative follows previous unsuccessful attempts to legalize adult-use cannabis in North Dakota, with voters rejecting similar measures in 2018 and 2022. Advocates hope that this new proposal, with its local focus and practical regulations, will resonate more effectively with voters this time around.